Public outcry over delay of sexual violence Bill

a HoUSe of Representatives’ plan to withdraw the highly anticipated sexual violence Bill from this year’s National Legislation Programme (Prolegnas) priority list has caused a public outcry.

Lawmakers excluded the Bill from the list during a meeting of the House Legislation Body on tuesday.

the House claimed deliberation of the Bill was “complicated”, even though lawmakers had never deliberated the legislation and had already deferred the discussion for a year.

National Commission on Violence against Women (Komnas Perem puan) commissioner Mariana amiruddin said delaying the Bill meant the House had no concern for the victims of sexual violence.

“every minute of delay means more people falling victim to sexual violence.

“More victims are prevented from getting justice,” she said on Wednesday, as quoted by kompas. com.

Many twitter users bristled at the excuse that the deliberation was “complicated”, calling it lazy and ignorant as data showed sustained rates of sexual violence.

Recent data from Komnas Perempuan shows that 5,509 cases of sexual violence were reported in 2018 and 4,176 were reported in 2019.

Institute for Criminal and Justice Reform (ICRJ) director erasmus Napitupulu said the Bill had to remain a top priority.

“the House and the government must acknowledge that the Bill’s spirit is to provide protection for victims of sexual violence,” erasmus said in a written statement on Wednesday. — the Jakarta Post/ aNN